Wentworth, Hauser and Violich’s Patricia Edwards will appear on NPR’s On Point. Go to http://www.onpointradio.org/ to listen to her appearance during the 7:00 hour timeslot on Monday, August 18.

Want to get involved with social media but don’t know how? A good first step is to gain a basic understanding of social media and see what other are doing with it. Of course, a great second step is to contact us to find out how we can help your business, but we will leave hard pitch for later. For now, here’s a great list of 35 companies that are using social media and how they are using it. 
http://mashable.com/2008/07/23/corporate-social-media/

US retail stocks have rallied due to a sharp decline in oil prices and the optimism that this news brings. Wentworth, Hauser and Violich’s Patty Edwards comments in this article. It read:

“‘The people who have been taking the money out of oil have to go somewhere, and these stocks are cheap, cheap, cheap,’ said Patricia Edwards, retail analyst at Wentworth, Hauser and Violich.”

“’Everything that is coming off the bottom is coming off the bottom because the consumer while at least have a bit of breathing room,’ Edwards said, while adding that the consumer is still likely to remain cautious.”

“Investors had also taken big short positions in many retail stocks, betting that the stocks would fall further, she said.”

“If you are taking your short bet off retail, all of them are going to rally,’ Edwards said.”

 Read the full story at http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/374367_software11.html?source=mypi  

 David E. Katri, Clark Nuber's CEO, was interviewed by the Society for Human Resource Magazine after being selected for the second time as one of the “50 Best Small & Medium Companies to Work for in America.” See the interview and read the article here: http://www.shrm.org/video/08videos/070708cn.asp

 

An employee survey, management questionnaire, and internal firm materials counted for two-thirds of the total score. The remaining one-third of the score came from the Great Place to Work Institute’s evaluation of companies in five areas: credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie. This survey is administered by the Great Place to Work Institute, which conducts the same survey for large companies featured in Fortune magazine. The award was given at the Society for Human Resource Management Convention in Chicago on June 23 where over 12,500 people were in attendance.

Headquartered in Bellevue, WA, Clark Nuber employs over 150 people with the expertise to provide commercial business owners, and leaders in not-for-profit organizations, as well as high-net-worth individuals, with a wide variety of services, including, financial statement audits, tax planning and compliance, state and local tax consulting, CFO/Controller/accounting services, estate planning, and specialty audits including benefit plans and government grants.

Watch a video interview with David E. Katri, Clark Nuber's CEO, at http://www.shrm.org/video/08videos/070708cn.asp

Many Wall Street analysts believe that Microsoft may spend as much as $20 Billion to buy back its own stock over the next three months. Wentworth, Hauser and Violich’s Tim Allen comments in this article. It read:

“The market’s response to last week’s buyback report seemed to reflect relief that Microsoft was ‘not going to do something crazy’ with all the cash, said Tim Allen, analyst and portfolio manager at the Wentworth, Hauser and Violich investment firm in Seattle.”

Read the full story at http://www.businessday.co.nz/market/4653069 

Pacific Crest Savings Bank, headquartered in Lynnwood, Washington, stands strong in the current economic environment, receiving a 5-Star Superior rating from BauerFinancial, Inc., the nation’s leading independent bank rating and research firm. The 5-Star rating is based on the overall financial picture of the bank and indicates that Pacific Crest Savings Bank is one of the strongest banks in the nation.

“In a climate where it is increasingly difficult to shine, Pacific Crest Savings Bank proves it can be done,” remarks Karen L. Dorway, president of the research firm.

“We are proud to have been selected as a 5-Star community bank,” said Sheryl Nilson, president and CEO of Pacific Crest. “We have always been, and continue to be, dedicated to providing the best products and services for our clients, and operating in a financially responsible manner.”

Pacific Crest Savings Bank has nearly $147 million in assets as of June 30, 2008, and remains one of the few locally owned independent premier savings banks in Washington State. After selling their Mortgage division in 2006, they now focus on savings, and began offering enhanced banking products and services in 2007. To learn more about Pacific Crest, visit www.paccrest.com or www.vphr.com.

BAUERFINANCIAL, INC., headquartered in Coral Gables, Florida, is the nation’s leading independent bank rating and research firm, and has been reporting on and analyzing the performance of U.S. banks and credit unions since 1983. No institution pays for its rating, nor can they elude it. To learn more visit www.bauerfinancial.com.

By: Anne D'Innocenzio

 The economic downturn has changed shopper in a variety of ways, leaving retailers, marketers and investors to try to figure out which shopping habits consumers will keep when the economy recovers. Patty Edwards comments in this article. It read:

"'We are looking at stuff that reminds me of the 1970s,' said Patricia Edwards of investment manager Wentworth, Hauser and Violich.' Americans have seen a huge amount of their balance sheet evaporate. The effects will be more lingering.'"

"Edwards, of Wentworth, Hauser and Violich, agrees that new fans of discounters will keep buying at discounters as long as the products measure up."

Read the full article here: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008063100_consumers210.html

Baker Boyer Bank's President and CEO, Megan Clubb, recently gave a speech to the Kennewick Rotary that explained the current financial turmoil while emphasizing that most banks are safe.

Watch KVEW TV's coverage of the speech and read their article at http://www.kvewtv.com/index.php?story_id=6373

See Baker Boyer Bank's website at www.bakerboyer.com

Dan Dierdorff, Executive Vice President and Chief Lending officer of Fortune Bank, recently offered these financial tips in a letter to Fortune Bank’s customers. It read:

 

Money market accounts are viewed as one of the safest and most liquid investments yet, as documented in several media accounts, that is not always the case. Since several of our customers have inquired about these funds, we thought it appropriate to address the topic.

 Q. How are people losing money on money market accounts?  

A. Money is lost in money market accounts when the assets in which funds are invested lose value. For example, a money market fund that invested in sub-prime mortgages would lose value as the value of the underlying investment, the sub-prime mortgages, decreased in value.

 Q. What should I do if I think my investment is at risk?  

A. Ask your banker, broker or financial service advisor for information on their money market fund. Find out where the fund invests its funds and make sure you understand the risks of the investment. Also, make sure your bank or brokerage company is financially strong and adequately capitalized.

 Q. What should I look for in a money market account?  

A. Understanding the relationship between risk and reward is important. If one money market is offering a significantly higher return than others, it most likely is investing in higher risk assets. Make sure you know and understand where and how your money will be invested.

 Q. How is Fortune Bank different?  

A. Fortune Bank is financially strong and well capitalized. Our money market accounts, up to $100,000, are insured by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and our customers have access to their money any time they want it. There is no waiting period.

 

In addition, through our CDARS program we are able to extend FDIC insurance for balances over $100,000.

 

We would welcome the opportunity to speak with you further about money market accounts and invite you to call us at: 206-624-5700 or 1-866-914-5700 or you can reach me at 206-254-7270 or send me an email at dand@fortunebankwa.com.

 

Dan Dierdorff

Executive Vice President & Chief Lending Officer

Fortune Bank

By: Andrea James

Starbuck's is closing 600 stores across the United States due to a weak economy and slow sales. Patricia Edwards comments in this article. It read:

"It's normal for a rapid-growth retailer to step back and evaluate profitability at individual locations. McDonald's Corp. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. have done so, said Patricia Edwards, a retail analyst at Wentworth, Hauser and Violich in Seattle."

"'It sounds like they're getting serious about return on investment,' Edwards said. 'It actually makes a lot of sense. You almost have to applaud them. It's the retailers and the restaurants that take the correct yet painful steps first that do better in the long run.'"

"The fact that the closures are mostly new stores is also logical, she said. A company starts by opening in fabulous locations and then less fabulous once the best spots are taken."

"'Build all the A's first, then you build the B's,' Edwards said. 'By the time they got as big as they were, they had to be looking at a lot of C, D, E and F locations.'"

"'The question is, is it about cachet anymore, or is it about selling and making good return on that investment in that store location?' Edwards said. 'This is not the era of $4 coffee. We're in the era of $1.50, $2 coffee. They've got to make sure that special pot that they've got is absolutely phenomenal.'"

Clark Nuber was honored for the second time by being selected as one of the “50 Best Small & Medium Companies to Work for in America.” This survey is administered by the Great Place to Work Institute, which conducts the same survey for large companies featured in Fortune magazine. The award was given at the Society for Human Resource Management Convention in Chicago on June 23 where over 12,500 people were in attendance.

An employee survey, management questionnaire, and internal firm materials counted for two-thirds of the total score. The remaining one-third of the score came from the Great Place to Work Institute’s evaluation of companies in five areas: credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie.

Headquartered in Bellevue, WA, Clark Nuber employs over 150 people with the expertise to provide commercial business owners, and leaders in not-for-profit organizations, as well as high-net-worth individuals, with a wide variety of services, including, financial statement audits, tax planning and compliance, state and local tax consulting, CFO/Controller/accounting services, estate planning, and specialty audits including benefit plans and government grants.

Watch a video interview with David E. Katri, Clark Nuber's CEO, at http://www.shrm.org/video/08videos/070708cn.asp

Baker Boyer Bank ranked 16th in Washington CEO's Best Companies to Work for 2008! The issue was July 2008 and listed 26 medium-sized companies, 6 large companies, 58 small companies, and 14 non-profits.